3 Particulars concerning survival capability calculations.
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Maritime Safety Committee - MSC/Circular.406/Rev.1 – Guidelines on Interpretation of the IBC Code and the IGC Code and Guidelines for the Uniform Application of the Survival Requirements of the IBC and IGC Codes – (Adopted on 29 June 1990) - Guidelines for the Uniform Application of the Survival Requirements of the Bulk Chemical Code and the Gas Carrier Code(approved by the Maritime Safety Committee at its forty-second session, 1980) - 3 Particulars concerning survival capability calculations.

3 Particulars concerning survival capability calculations.

  3.1 The calculations should be based on moulded lines and include large appendages such as shaft bosses, skegs and bow thrusters.

  3.2 The metacentric heights (GM), stability levers (GZ) and the centre of gravity positions (KG) for judging the final survival conditions should be calculated by the constant displacement (lost buoyancy) method.

  3.3 The calculations should be done for the ship freely trimming.

  3.4 Only computer calculations acceptable to the Administration should be used.

  3.5 Where the assumed damage causes the ship to trim by the stern, the ship in the intact condition should be assumed to have the largest allowable trim by the stern, consistent with operational requirements.

  3.6 Where the assumed damage causes the ship to trim by the bow the ship in the intact condition should be assumed to have the largest allowable trim by the bow, consistent with operational requirements.

  3.7 Lesser extent of damage should be taken into account only where indicated by the presence of subdivision extending into the maximum extent of damage, e.g. double-bottom tanks, side ballast tanks, side cargo tanks, fuel tanks and void spaces. However, the following should be given attention:

  • .1 “Lesser extent" means the reduction of any one of the three maximum dimensions of damage singly or in combination and also the assessment of the effect of damage affecting any combination of compartments with the maximum extent of damage.

  • .2 Where any damage involves the release of very heavy cargo liquid, then heel to the intact side of the ship may take place. In such cases the effect of lesser vertical extent of the damage above the level of the tank top may result in the larger angle of heel, since otherwise the effect of cargo loss may be compensated by flood water entering the double-bottom tanks on the damage side.

  3.8 The number of calculations required to show compliance with survival requirements should be that necessary to obtain sufficient data for the loading manual and should be such that all loading conditions indicated in 1 can be covered, i.e. no additional calculations should be necessary once the series of calculations has been executed.

  3.9 Calculations to determine the displacement, trim and the vertical position of the centre of gravity should be performed for each operational loading condition. The vertical position of the centre of gravity should be corrected for free surface effects. One method would be to construct graphs showing the free surface moments of the criterion angle, for all filling levels at a specific gravity of one. The free surface moments for all tanks can then be taken from the graphs and be multiplied by the cargo specific gravity.

  3.10 In calculating the effect of free surface of consumable liquids it is to be assumed that, for each type of liquid, at least one transverse pair or a single centreline tank has maximum free surface, and the tank or combination of tanks to be taken into account are to be those where the effect of free surfaces is the greatest; in each tank the centre of gravity of the contents is to be taken at the centre of volume of the tank. The remaining tanks are to be assumed either completely empty or completely filled, and the distribution of consumable liquids among these tanks is to be such as to obtain the greatest possible height above the keel for the centre of gravity.

  GUIDANCE

  3.11 To take account of the presence of structure within cargo compartments, a permeability of 0.95 should be assumed as stated in the Codes. Where, in particular cases such as the cargo tanks of gas carriers, this assumption would lead to a significant discrepancy in cargo tank volume, it is preferable to calculate the permeability taking into account actual tank structure, the volume of tank insulation should then be calculated separately and an appropriate permeability applied.

  3.12 Attention should be paid to the possibility of progressive flooding through deck cargo pipes and common cargo tank ventilation pipes, if these are immersed at large angles of heel after damage. The possibility of progressive flooding through ballast piping passing through the assumed extent of damage, where positive action valves are not fitted to the ballast system at the open ends of the pipes in the tanks served, should be considered. Where remote control systems are fitted to ballast valves and these controls pass through the assumed extent of damage then the effect of damage to the system should be considered to ensure that the valves would remain closed in that event.

  3.13 Where the ship is required to be capable of sustaining bottom damage anywhere in its length (L), the following method should be used when damage is assumed to occur in the vicinity of the 0.3 L position from the forward perpendicular:

  • .1 when applying the longitudinal extent of bottom damage applicable to the foremost part of the ship, no part of the damage should be assumed to extend abaft the 0.3 L position from the forward perpendicular.

  • .2 when applying the longitudinal extent of damage applicable to the rest of the ship's length the damage should be assumed to extend to a foremost limit including a point at 0.3 L minus 5 m abaft the forward perpendicular.

  3.14 In ships carrying liquefied gases, large cargo tanks may be subdivided into the sections by centreline and transverse bulkheads which are liquid-tight but which have openings near the top of the tank. These openings would permit spillage of cargo from one section of the cargo tank to another when the ship is heeled where the tank is undamaged, or loss of cargo due to spillage from sections of a damaged cargo tank. The effect of this spillage should be taken into account in calculations and also in any calculation of GM or KG for loading conditions where a “required GM' or “allowable KG" curve is to be used.

  3.15 In ships carrying liquefied gases, the ability of longitudinal bulkheads fitted within cargo tanks to withstand the unequal pressures due to flooding of one section of cargo tank should only be considered in the final stage of flooding.

  3.16 Where lubricating oil drain tanks fitted below the main engine would be affected by the vertical extent of bottom damage then flooding of the engine-room by way of the drain tank and engine should be assumed to take place.

  3.17 In ships with machinery spaces aft, the machinery space and steering gear compartment should be regarded as being common for damage purposes when any access is fitted in the after machinery space bulkhead, unless a remotely operated sliding watertight door is fitted, or the sill of the access openings fitted hinged watertight doors which are to be kept closed at sea is at least 0.3 m above the damage waterline and will not be submerged within the minimum range of residual stability.

  GUIDANCE

  3.18 Where dry cargoes are carried at the same time as bulk liquid cargoes which require compliance with the requirements of the Codes then the permeability of the space carrying the dry cargo is to be ascertained.

  GUIDANCE

  3.19 The harmonized regulations specify that no account should be taken of cross-flooding arrangements to attain stipulated limits of heel in the final state of equilibrium after damage. However, compartments on the opposite sides of a ship could be regarded as single compartments from the aspect of flooding if they were to be linked by openings or ducts of sufficiently large area. In such cases consideration should be given to the adequacy of tank air flow and to the effect of free surface.


Copyright 2022 Clasifications Register Group Limited, International Maritime Organization, International Labour Organization or Maritime and Coastguard Agency. All rights reserved. Clasifications Register Group Limited, its affiliates and subsidiaries and their respective officers, employees or agents are, individually and collectively, referred to in this clause as 'Clasifications Register'. Clasifications Register assumes no responsibility and shall not be liable to any person for any loss, damage or expense caused by reliance on the information or advice in this document or howsoever provided, unless that person has signed a contract with the relevant Clasifications Register entity for the provision of this information or advice and in that case any responsibility or liability is exclusively on the terms and conditions set out in that contract.